China News Service Beijing reported on September 4 that in the film market, classic IPs often have their own popularity. As the summer vacation draws to a close, the movie "Dream of Red Mansions: The Golden Jade" released its first trailer, and at the same time officially announced part of the cast.
This news quickly became a hot search topic, making the movie version of "Dream of Red Mansions" quite popular before it was released. But there is also a trace of controversy mixed in. For example, netizens think that some of the casting choices are inappropriate, and Fu Hua said that it is "hard to describe in one word" and so on.
In the end, everyone may be worried about the same question: is the original work so rich in content, is it reliable to make it into a movie?
Is the casting appropriate?
Although it lasts less than one minute, the trailer for the film version of "Dream of Red Mansions" contains a lot of information, including classic scenes such as the wedding ceremony in the first lunar month and Daiyu's funeral. In terms of actors, Zhang Miaoyi plays Lin Daiyu, Huang Jiarong plays Xue Baochai, and Bian Cheng plays Jia Baoyu.
Image source: Screenshot of the official Weibo video of the movie "A Dream of Red Mansions"
Almost all the protagonists in this version of "Dream of Red Mansions" are new actors. According to media reports, after the film launched global audition registration in 2017, after screening, 80 people were left to participate in the six-month professional and systematic training before filming.
After the trailer was released, it also sparked a big discussion on casting. Some people think that compared to the original work, the actor's temperament is acceptable; some people joked that "it's hard to comment" and thought that some of the casting choices were inappropriate. Someone else asked: "Where are the nobility, aura, and bookishness?"
As one of the four great classics, "A Dream of Red Mansions" is a classic in many people's minds. However, the capacity of movies is limited, so it is inevitable that there will be trade-offs in the content. The director of the film, Hu Mei, once said at the press conference of the movie version of "Dream of Red Mansions" in Beijing that she will highlight the youth stories in this famous book.
However, the name of "Dream of Red Mansions: Golden Jade Lovely Marriage" and the introduction of "Unique Love in the World" made some viewers instantly alert: Will the adaptation be outrageous? Will it abandon the "Wood and Stone Alliance" and take the "golden and jade marriage" between Baochai and Baoyu as the main line?
Despite the controversy, the influence of "Dream of Red Mansions" is so great that if it is adapted into a movie, there will be no lack of attention and topics. It is very likely that a considerable number of people will not be able to resist the curiosity and contribute to the box office.
Image source: Screenshot of the official Weibo video of the movie "A Dream of Red Mansions"
Adapted in several editions, the response varies
As a highly popular classic, "Dream of Red Mansions" has always been an IP "bonanza". However, the various versions of film and television dramas adapted from it have received different responses. Some are mediocre, some are very popular, and some have encountered almost all complaints.
The 1962 Yue opera film "Dream of Red Mansions" received a lot of praise. The famous Yue opera performing artist Wang Wenjuan played Lin Daiyu. Through delicate performances, she interpreted the rich inner world of the characters just right, and the film was once popular across the country.
Coincidentally, there was also a Shaw Brothers Huangmei Opera film "Dream of Red Mansions", starring the popular movie star Lettie at that time. Time passed, and then the movie "A Dream of Red Mansions" was released, and the actor Brigitte Lin played Jia Baoyu in a "reversed role".
From 1986 to 1988, the famous director Xie Tieli filmed the movie "Dream of Red Mansions", and the response was very good. The film brings together well-known actors such as Tao Huimin, Zhao Lirong, He Qing, etc., and it embodies classic scenes such as meeting Bao Dai and Sister Feng pouring vinegar.
The 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions" is a classic in the hearts of the audience. This drama boldly uses newcomers, and is very careful about the details of makeup. For example, Wang Xifeng's eyebrows are highly curved, and at first glance she is a calculating person who is not easy to mess with.
Image source: Screenshot of the 87 version of "Dream of Red Mansions"
The songs that appear in the play basically appeal to both refined and popular tastes. It took about four and a half years for the composer Wang Liping to complete the accompaniment and all the background music for the 87 edition of A Dream of Red Mansions. "Burning Flowers" was meticulously crafted, and it took one year and nine months to write.
In 2010, the new version of the TV series "Dream of Red Mansions" directed by Li Shaohong was aired, and its reputation dropped sharply - "Daiyu is plump, Baochai is thin", Baoyu is not spiritual enough, and Baochai, Mrs. Wang and others also have "coin-coin heads" looks. Being complained about is not enough for life.
A major feature of this version of "A Dream of Red Mansions" is that it has a large number of narrations. Some people speculate that this may be to increase the depth and literary quality of the plot; but some people feel uncomfortable and feel that it is purely distracting and it is too easy to create drama.
Starting from the 1924 Peking Opera movie "Daiyu Buries Flowers" starring Mei Lanfang, let's summarize the "Dream of Red Mansions" film and television works that have been praised by audiences over the years. Most of them have the characteristics of well-made production, "face-friendly" casting, and delicate performances. .
Debates and expectations
Remaking a classic IP seems simple and the story lines are all ready-made, but in fact it is easy to fall into a dilemma.
Completely copying the original work may be considered as "frivolous rice"; if you make a second creation based on the original work, once the story goes "off track" and the casting is not good enough, it is inevitable that you will be criticized.
Even if a lot of manpower and material resources are invested, the results may not necessarily be good. The new version of the TV series "Dream of Red Mansions" also had a similar "audition" session, but after it was broadcast, it was still questioned that the actors did not match the original characters, and that some actors' acting skills were not up to par, etc.
With all these factors in mind, viewers will inevitably have questions about the new version of the movie "Dream of Red Mansions" that has become a hot topic.
Image source: Screenshot of the official Weibo video of the movie "A Dream of Red Mansions"
However, the creative team behind "A Dream of Red Mansions" is very strong. Hu Mei, Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige and others are regarded as representatives of China's "fifth generation" of directors, and have directed popular works such as "Emperor Wu of Han" and "Yongzheng Dynasty".
He Yanjiang is a well-known screenwriter who has created film and television works such as "Qiao Family Courtyard". This time he wrote the film version of "Dream of Red Mansions". He also frankly said that the creative process was "hard work" because the entire script went through many major rewrites before it was basically finalized. .
Therefore, many viewers are looking forward to this new work. They think that the short trailer cannot explain anything, and it is not too late to give an evaluation after it is released. "Don't be beaten to death before you watch it."
Anyone who likes "Dream of Red Mansions" hopes to see an excellent film and television work. The audience's eyes are sharp. When evaluating the quality of a film, box office and reputation will ultimately give a fair answer.
